Football Federation Australia is "keen to lure" the world's top three women's football teams -- the U.S., England and Germany -- to Australian soil to play the Matildas, according to Anthony Colangelo of THE AGE. FFA's "strongest push" is being directed at world No. 1 the U.S., which the Matildas have "only played twice in Australia" out of their 14 meetings since '00. There is a push from Matildas coach Alen Stajcic to make a clash against the U.S. the first game to be held at the new Parramatta Stadium, which will be complete by mid-'19. The Women's World Cup will be played from June-July '19, "so depending on the completion of the stadium, the fixture would most likely happen after the World Cup." FFA Head of Community, Development & Women's Football Emma Highwood did not confirm or deny a "desire for the potential Parramatta Stadium game but did reveal the federation's aim" to play the U.S. on home soil. Highwood added that FFA wanted as many games as possible in Australia against Germany (world No. 2), England (world No. 3) and Canada (world No. 4) over the next few years. Highwood: "We have been in discussions with the USA so we will continue those discussions and we think that it would be a massive opportunity to get them here. We are aiming to get the USA here because they are the best team in the world. And if we want to win a World Cup, we need to get used to beating these teams" (THE AGE, 12/11).
